In a significant move against terrorism, the Jammu and Kashmir administration, led by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, terminated five government employees on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, for their alleged links to terror activities. Officials stated that this action is aimed at dismantling the "terror ecosystem and its infrastructure within government machinery".
The terminated employees include Mohammad Ishfaq, a teacher; Tariq Ahmad Rah, a lab technician; Bashir Ahmad Mir, an assistant lineman; Farooq Ahmad Bhat, a field worker in the Forest Department; and Mohammad Yousuf, a driver in the Health Department. These individuals were allegedly planted within the government over several decades by terror outfits and Pakistan's ISI to weaken the system and jeopardize national security.
Mohammad Ishfaq, a teacher confirmed in 2013, was allegedly working for Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), a Pakistan-based terror group. Reports indicate he maintained regular contact with LeT commander Mohammad Amin alias Abu Khubaib, a designated terrorist operating from Pakistan. Ishfaq was reportedly assigned an active operational role by LeT and tasked with assassinating a police officer in Doda in early 2022. He was arrested in April 2022, with arms and ammunition recovered from him and an associate. Investigations revealed Ishfaq used his position to radicalize youth and continues to spread extremist ideologies even from jail.
Tariq Ahmad Rah, the lab technician, was allegedly linked to Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM) through his uncle, Amin Baba, a former HM divisional commander. Bashir Ahmad Mir, the assistant lineman, is accused of being an active LeT over ground worker, providing logistical support, shelter, and assistance to terrorists in the Gurez area of Bandipora. His role was discovered during an anti-terror operation in September 2021, where two LeT militants were killed at his residence, and weapons were seized. Farooq Ahmad Bhat, the field worker, allegedly supported HM and assisted in planning Amin Baba's escape to Pakistan, using his government credentials to bypass checkpoints. Mohammad Yousuf, the driver, was also dismissed for terror links.
The dismissals were made under Article 311 (2) (c) of the Constitution, which allows for the termination of civil servants without a formal inquiry if the President or Governor deems it necessary for the security of the State.
Since 2021, the Jammu and Kashmir administration has terminated the services of over 85 government employees found to be working with terrorist groups. This action is part of a broader offensive launched in 2021 to dismantle the terror ecosystem in the region. Security sources suggest that these measures aim to cleanse the government machinery and reinforce its integrity.
